The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-08-30


were huted and richly ornamented, and
carefully balanced In all parts. Such
were sold for an equivalent Of $50 In |
our money. Less elaborate bows Melted
him $l5, which Is the price asked
for similar manufactures to-day. A
very satisfactory bow can DO bought Mt
| % to s5. Many are sold that cost $3.50
per dozen. The addition Of half or
even quarter of an ounce to bow be-
comes very noticeable in prolonged
playing. Brazil wood is extensively
employed in bowmaking. 1t Is found
In many qualities, especially fine dark
red specimens being sometimes foisted
upon the inexpert as genuine Pernam-
buco. Snakewood is favorite with
some makers. Steel bows and folding
contrivances have enjoyed very brief
lives. The complete bow should weigh
about two and one-eighth ounces, and
be so balanced that 1t may BIO hurriedly
placed upon the strings with light,
| springy motion that does not impair
effectiveness Of the hair.
Old bows are not in so much demand
as old violins, although cranky col
lectors often get in q fever over them.
There is just enough competition to
make the artist pay more than he ought
| for that he alone can use to best I'D
vantage. A New Haven connoisseur
has ten exceptionally fine bow.sticks.
for which collection he has refused
$1,000. It's the old story-they are
PARTICLES of virtu!'
Purified rosin is used to keep the
hair rough. thus creating numberless
light shocks to the strings as tho bow
is drawn acoss them. 1t is better to
err on the side of using too little than
the reverse. WORKOUT hair can be re-
placed by new coil at an expense of'
rs cents for the best grade. Pure rosin
is moulded in cakes cS various forms,
which sell for rs cents to $l.75 per doz-
en-.
Among different makers of strings
the Italians hold first rank as regards
purity of sound Next comes the Ger
mans, whose make of strings prove
very durable. followed by the French
and other countries, In subordinate
rank. Italian superiority is easily ex-
planned. In that beautiful climate
manufacturing is principally carried on
in the open air. Southern Germany is
fortunate in this respect, though in less
degree. Further north artificial pro-
cesses are rendered necessary for dy-
ing and finishing the product. and
strings may be said to deteriorate rs q
rule in proportion to the distance the
mandatory is removed from Italy.
The intestines of sheep and goats are
used in string-making. chiefly the for
mer. These are immersed in solutions
of alkalies, after which they are thor
oughly rinsed with water. When dry
the process is repeated severalj times.
the alkaline baths growing stronger at
each stage of treatment. At length
the tegument is split into threads and
spun into strings. Skilled wOrkmcn
are necessary in the latter details, as
perfect strings should be uniform in
size throughout. The finest qualities
comes from lambs. Those slaughtered
in September yield tho most desirable
materials. Friction from the fingers
in playing tends to separate the COM
ponent strands; particularly
is this the case when per-
SEPARATION is induced by prolonged
exercise. A moist atmosphere is fatal
to gut strings. In dog-day weather silk
strings are frequently substituted.
Though the tone is not so acceptable,
exemption from broakago repays the
loss. In selecting strings it is safe to
choose those of grea1est transparency.
Dizziness of color indicates too many
threads or indifferent material. The
fourth string is covered with silver or
copper wire, or mixture OF metals OF
great ductility. Silver is wound on gui
to good advantage. Those covered
with copper wire give more powerful
effects. Strings bear ing either Of these
metals have tender lcy to rise In pitch
from warmth of tho fingers. 10 obviate
this annoyance mi, ed wire is used,
combining power and softness, which is
less liable to expansion. Fourth strings
as found in market are apt to DO too
heavy. Il is best 10 purchase all sizes
as they are needed, as they seldom inn
prove after seasoning. Old Instruments
do not ordinarily require heavy strings.
Medium sizes that develop rich clear
tomas are halter adapted to mood, mel